Lock for motor vehicles



NfEl LOCK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES. AEPLICATION FILED JUNE 18| 1920. Pai/ented @et 39 11922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

@ASEE-'Z5 /NSULAT/N N. E. RICE.

LOCK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

APPLlcATIoN rlLEn1uNE1s. 1920.

Patented @eta 39 M22.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Mmmm

Patented @et 3S, i922.

Paye 'FL-3e y; p wird li. ila Q"i ii .fait allai) NORMAN E. RICE, 0F CHICAGO, LLINOIS.

LOCK FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

'Application led June 18,

To all tti/tom it may concern,

Be it known that l, Nonnnn E. RICE, a citizen oit the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ot Cook and State of Illinois7 have invented a certain new and useful improvement in Locks for lVotor Vehicles, of which the following is a specication.

` My invention relates to locks, and while it is applicable to a variety of uses, it isv especially useliul as a lock tor automobiles. ln its developed torni., shown in the accompanying drawingsI` the loclr forms a control t'or the electric ignition circuit and also a lock 'for preventing the rotation ot the steering post in the steering column.

The object of my invention is to provide an etlicient. non piclrable lock serving either or both oit these functions. ln the illustrated embodiment ot the invention the parts are controlled by a rotary element or rotor which when in normal or running7 position enables the vehicle to be operated, and in another position prevents it from being operated. The rotor is urged away from normal or ruiming position by a spring, and one ot' the contributory objects of my invention is to provide supplemental means for insuring` the holding` of the rotor in ruiming position and prevent its being released as a result ot the vibration oit the vehicle. rlhis supplemental means is, according to the present design, controlled by a separate or supplemental key.

I accomplish my objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings in whichy Figure l is an assembly view of the lock, the parts being shown chiefly in axial section,

Figure 2 is a transverse section on the line 2-2, Figure l3 Figure 3 is an end view looking towards the right in Figure l.y a portion ot the casing` being broken away to better reveal the construction.

Figure l is a transverse sectional view on the line L -41 Figure l,

Figure 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5mi, Figure l,

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line GHG, Figure t,

Figure 7 sectional view on the line 7 7, Figure l,v and i920. Serial NO. 389,831.

Figure 8 is a side view of the plunger whose function is to Vloclr the steering post against rotation.

Like numerals denote like out the several views.

ln the form selected to illustrate the invention the lock has a casing l which is preferably formed in two halves riveted or otherwise rigidly secured together. At one end it has a clamp tor securing it to the steering column 2 of the vehicle. "This plant is here shown to consist of an integral concave portion 3 and a cap 4 which is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to it. The main body of the casing is approximately cylindrical and is closed at the outer end by a rotary plate 6 which is held in po sition by a flanged ring S. F astened to this plate is a rotor which has a base l() riveted or otherwise rigidly fastened to the inside of the plate. By preference this rotor is formed in two halves riveted or otherwise held together. It has a key hole l2 which extends longitudinally for receiving the main key let. A helical spring 16 is fastened atone end to a lug 17 carried by the casing at the inner end, as shown vat the right in Figure l. The other end or" the spring` is fastened to the rotor as at the point 18. The parts are so arranged that the tension 4ot the spring tends to rotate the rotor in a clockwise direction when viewed as in Figures 2 to 5.

In this particular embodiment of the invention a finger 20, preferably of insulating material, is fastened to the rotor in such manner that` it will when the rotor is in normal position (corresponding to ruiming conditions of the vehicle) engage a Contact finger 22 and holdV it in engagement with a stationary contact 23. The parts 22 and 23 t'orm a switch for controlling` the ignition circuit ot' the vehicle. It will be sufiicient for the present purpose to say that the ignition circuit includes two conductors 24, 26 which are secured to the parts 22 and 23 respectively and are enclosed in insulation 27 and pass out through a conduit 28 `lead ing from the side of the casing. lt will be understood that there is a switch of this character tor each igniter, for example. if four spark plugs are employed four switches will be employed, as illustrated in Figure l. llVlien the rotor is in normal or runparts throughning position, shown in Figure 2,the control switches 22, 23 will be held closed and when the rotor moves away from this running position and releases the movable contactors 22 the switches automatically open thus opening the ignition circuits and preventing the charges in the combustion, cylinders from being ignited; consequently the vehicle cannot be driven unless the rotor is in running position.

The rotor is held in ruiming position by a tumbler or pawl 32 pivotallyv mounted in a bracket 34 located within the casing as shown in Figure 2. This pawl is adapted to engage a lug 36 formed on the rotor. The pawl extends across the key hole and the key is so formed that when it is inserted in the key hole it will lift the tumbler and release the rotor and permit the spring to rotate the finger 26 out of engagement with the switch contact 22, thus opening the ignition circuit. lNhen the rotor is in normal running position and the key is inserted, the serrated upperedge of the key will pass between two stationary wards or barriers 38 whose lower edge is serrated or irregularly formed to prevent rotary movement oi' the rotor in case any but the correctly formed key is inserted. A second pair of stationary wards or barriers 40 is also provided, and adjacent to one of them is fastened a ward plate 42 which has an extension 43 adaptedto form a stop for the lug 44 formed on the rotor. This stop arrests the rotor in the non running position illustrated in Figure 4. In the present design the non running position is approximately 330O from the running position of the rotor, although this, oi' course, is largely a matter of-design.

As previously mentioned, my device is capable not only of controlling the ignition circuit, but also locking the steering post against angular movement. I will now describe the parts more intimately associated with this characteristic of the invention:

Arranged longitudinally within the rotor, concentrically therewith, is a squared socket 46 adapted to slidingly receive the squared shank 48 of a plunger 49 shown in position in Figure l and separately in Figure 8.v The inner end 50 oi' this plunger or locking bar is adapted to enter a recess 52 formed in the side of the steering post 54. Said end 50 is flaringly tapered or dovetailed, and the recess 52 is correspondingly undercut to receive it. The result is that 'if the plunger is in acting position within the recess an attempt on the part of the operator to rotate the steering post will tend simply to make the engagement correspondingly tighter. This eiiectually prevents the danger of the plunger becoming rounded off at the inner end thus enabling it to be forced back under a cam-like action in case pressure is exerted on the steering wheel in an angular direction. A helical compression spring 56 encircles the plunger'. One end of the spring abuts a shoulder 57 formed within the rotor and the other end abuts a collar 58 fastened to the plunger by means of a set screw 59 or otherwise. The collar has a projection 6() at its inner end adapted to enter a recess 62 i'ormed behind a shoulder' 63 as best shown in Figures l and 7. This recess is formed in a boss 64 formed on the inner side of the inner end oit the casing, and the result is that when the rotor is rotated to non ruiming position, the projection or nose 60 will enter the recess 62 behind the shoulder 63 and the result will be two-fold: i'irst, the plunger is permitted to shift longitudinally and insert the flaring head 50 into the recess 52, and second, the shoulder will arrest the rotor against further movement by the main spring`l6. It will thus be observed that I have provided two devices for limiting the movement of the rotor under the action of the spring, to wit, the stop 43 and the shoulder 63. It will be understood, of course, that one of these two stops may be dispensed with if desired.

The projection 60 is beveled at the back, thus producing a cam, and the parts are so constructed that when the rotor is subsequently rotated by the key from non running to running position, the cam will auto-l matically force t e plunger toward the left, Figure l, and thus retract the end 50 from the recess 52 and release the steering post.

I have provided means for locking the rotor in non running position. These means include a dog 68 best shown in Figures 4 and 6. This dog is pivotally supported on a stationary bracket 67 and is backed up by a spring 70. When the key has been inserted and the tumbler 32 raised the spring 16 rotates the rotor and brings it to the position shown in Figure 4, as previously explained. So long as the key remains in place it holds the dog 68 non acting, as illustrated in Figure 4; but as soon as the key is withdrawn it permits the dog to drop behind the lug 36 and prevent the rotor Jfrom being rotated back again to running position. Thus the rotor is adapted to be locked in non running position as well as to be locked in running position.

It is desirable not to have to rely upon the key for rotating the rotor against the force of the main spring 16. I have therefore provided a separate handle 72 which is fastened to the plate 6 or the rotor, as shown at the leit't end of Figures l and 3.

In some cases it may be desired to provide double insurance against the rotatingl of the rotor from non running to running position. For this purpose I have provided a supplemental key 76 shown at the right end oit Figure land also in Figure 5. This is adapted to be inserted through a slot 78 in the inner end ot 'the casinoY i and to litt a tumbler 8O pivoted upon the stationary bracket 82. This tumbler is backed up by a spring 83 and therefore tends to drop behind a `lin @fl iornied near the right end of the rotor (see Figures l and 6). llihen this supplemental lockingdeyice is employedA it necessary as a prerequisite to rotating the rotor from running to non runningl position to insert the key 76 and litt the tumbler Si) as Woll as inserting the main key lil and lifting the tumbler 32.

The operation ol" the device Will now be readily understood. Let it be assumed that the parts are in running position shoiyn in Fieure 2. rihe lingers Zt) which are of insulating material, hold the switch niti;cts 22 in engagement with the switch contacts 23, thus putting the ignition circuits on closed circuit (although subject to the operation of the distributor or Whatever type ol" timing mechanism may bc employed). The projection 60 on the collar 58 is in contact With the inner end ot the boss (Si and thus holds the plunger retracted in ogposition to the force ot its spring 55. rhus the steering post is `liree to rotate li, now, it is desired to put the vehicle in such con dition that it cannot be driven away, that is, if it is desired to convert the vehicle to non running condition, the operator inserts the supplemental key 76 thus lifting the tumbler 80 and causing it to tree the tin Se on the rotor. This key may be simply left in position. The operator then inserts the main key i4, thus lifting the tumbler and permitting the mainV spring 16 to rota e the rotor from runningposition, shown in .Figure 2, to non running` posit-ion, shown inligure et. This causes the fingers 2O to leave the movable switch contacts 22 thus putting the ignition system on open circuit. .lt also causes the collar 58 to be rotated so tar that its projection 6() will drop into the recess 62 formed in the boss 651:. Y dovetailed end of the plunger Li8 to entei` the under cut recess 52 in the steering post and hold the latter locked against rotation. lith the ignition circuits open and the steering post locked, the vehicle? of course, cannot be operated. ylhe withdrawing oit' the main key lei permits the dog; 68 to drop behind the lug i4 and hold the rotor locked in non running position. llilhen the operator Wishes to again render the vvehicle operative, he inserts the main key le, thus lifting' the dog` 68, and enabling him to rotate the rotor back to runningl position, shown in Figure 2. rli`his restoring` ci the rotor to running position against the torce ot the spring 16 is aided by usingthe handle '72. rl`he operator still grasping the handle 72, next withdraws the main key i4, 'thus per- This permits the` mitting the tumbler to drop behind the lug 36 and hold the rotor locked. He then withdraws the suijipleinental key i6 and thus permits the tumbler 8O to drop into engagement With the iin S-il and thus supplement the action oit the dog '52 in holding` the rotor ,in ruiming,` position.

While i have shown and described the rotor as controlling both the ignition circ-uit und `the steering posti; it is evident 'that either the control switches or the steering post lock may be omitted 'tncut impairing the etticiency oi the portion which is retained. it will also be understood 'that While l have desorioeu tie conductoi 26 as employed ttor Athe conduction oli' current tor the ignition Where the vehicle is furnished with an internal combustion enginet these conductors may, with analofrous result, represent the main motor coinuictors ot an electrically driven "vehicle .lt `will be noted that the switch contacts are so formed as to incre directly toward and from each other, tnus producing` a jump spark When .ontact is broken. rlhis produ ces a surginpy on the line which is ot value in l'eeping;` the points oit the spark 'tree from soot and carbon` Haring thus described my invention, What claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters latent, is:

l. il lock haring a casing, a rotor Within e th roto tnmhl ing; a rotor therein adapted to control the` locking elementj a key insertible into the casing and roten a spring; for urging the rotor from unlockinn; to lockingv position, a tumbler for holding` the rotor in unlocking position, the tumbler being adapted to be lifted by the insertion ot the key, a stop for limiting the rotation ol the rotor under the inthience of the spring. and a dog adapted to drop behind vthe rotor tor holdingit in locking position, said dog being@` held non-acting by the presence o't" the key in the rotor.

3. A. lock haring a locking; eleiA ent a cas- W a rotor thereim adapted to control the locking element, a key insertible into the casinllj Sind rotor eccentricall o the rotor, a sprinb Ytor urn-inni the rotor trom unlocking to loci inn positionY a 'tumbler `for holding` the rotor in locking' position, the tumbler being; adapted to be lifted by the insertion of th` l a stop lior limiting` the movement of the rotor under tiie action of the spring,

in o' llO and zt handle Yfastened to the rotor and accessible from the exterior of the lock for essisting to rotate the rotor against the 'torce of its spring.

et. A lock having e locking element e cssing, a rotor therein adapted to control the locking element, a. key insertible into the easing and rotor eccentrioally to the rotor, nv spring tor urging the rotor from unlocking to locking position, a tumbler for holding the rotor in locking.;` posit-ion, the tumbler being udepted to be litted by the insertion of the key, e stop lor limiting the movement oi the rotor under the action of the spring, a dog adapted to engage the rotor und hold it in locking position, sii-id dog being adapted to be lifted by the key, and a Ward lying at the side oit the key when the rotor is in locking position 'for limiting the rotation or" the rotor.

5. A look having e locking element a ras ing, s rotor therein adapted to control the locking element, a key insertible into the casing end rotor, it spring tor urging the rotor from unlocking to locking position, atunibler for holding the rotor in unlocking holdin@ the rotor in lookin@` esition seid p :n a l dog being adapted to be lifted by the insertion ci the key, and stationary Wards, one

located adjacent to the key when the rotor is in unlocking position and the other located adjacent to the key when the rotor is in locking position.

6, A leek having a locking element a cesing, a rotor therein adapted to controlthe looking element, e spring for urging the rotor from unlocking to locking position, `e tumbler adapted to hold the rotor in unlocking position, seid tumbler being adapted to be litted by the insertion of the key, a secend tumbler adapted to engage the rotor and hold the latter in unlocking position, land a supplementary key insertible into the casing trom the opposite end thereof and adapted to lift the second tumbler to permit the rotor to rotate under the action of the spring.

ln Witness whereof, l have hereunto subscribed my naine.

NORMAN E. RICE. 

